Spectrometers

Spectrometers measure the variation of physical properties over a range or spectrum. The most common spectrometer is for optical measurements and consists of three basic parts: There is the collimator which is producing a beam of light, a prism table and a telescope. While all these parts are made from different materials, the methods of attaching the various substrates used here must retain reproducible properties. It is imperative that parts are joined together accurately, reliably and with precision. In spectrometers, some components can be attached mechanically, while others are best secured by adhesive bonding. Epoxy adhesives are a perfect fit for attaching many components. First and foremost, they are strong and reliable. Epoxies are exceptionally dimensionally stable with specialty systems providing extremely low shrinkage levels and low coefficient of thermal expansions upon cure. This allows for the parts to be kept in proper alignment. Most importantly epoxies have been tested and passed rigorous low outgassing criteria. This ultimately means that the epoxy curing mechanism is “clean” with almost no residual byproducts. This is critical for the spectrometer to provide reproducible, precise, supremely accurate and extremely reliable measurements.

To see an example of how a Master Bond epoxy is used in a spectrometer application, please see the research article titled “Improving the Sensitivity and Resolution of Miniature Ion Mobility Spectrometers with a Capacitive Trans Impedance Amplifier” whereby EP21TCHT-1 is cited as follows: “The inside of the groove cut for the ionizer was coated with low outgassing epoxy (EP21TCHT-1, Master Bond, Inc., Hackensack, NJ) to hold the foil in place.”¹

¹Denson, Stephen Charles. Improving the Sensitivity and Resolution of Miniature Ion Mobility Spectrometers with a Capacitive Trans Impedance Amplifier. Published by The University of Arizona. https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/195646. Accessed June 2021.